Visions of a Hawks comeback against the Celtics are clouded by memories of the bludgeoning they absorbed the last time they were in Beantown.
The grit the Hawks showed while winning 87-86 on Tuesday night in Game 5 at Philips Arena came two days after they were down by as many as 37 points in their 101-79 loss in Game 4.
Now the Hawks go back to TD Garden on Thursday in need of a victory to force a decisive Game 7 at Philips Arena on Saturday.
The Hawks say the return trip to Boston will be different.
“We got embarrassed the last time we were up there,” center Al Horford said. “We are aware of that. This is a different situation for us. We are giving it all that we have.”
Horford’s return to form in Game 5 is a reason for the Hawks to hope they can bring the series back to Atlanta. Playing in his second game since Jan. 17 pectoral surgery, Horford had 19 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and three assists.
But even that is no sure harbinger for success in Boston. After all, the Hawks gave their best effort in Boston with Horford, forward Josh Smith and center Zaza Pachulia all sidelined by injury. Smith and Horford were on the court for the Game 4 rout.
In their return trip to Boston, the Hawks have to play with the intensity they showed in Game 4, figure out how to hold a lead if they get one and hold their ground if the Celtics again come out playing inspired.
“Whatever we did [in Game 5], ball it up in a cup and take it with us,” Hawks guard Jeff Teague said. “We have just got to come out and play hard again. It’s going to be a hostile environment. We’ve just got to get past those first five minutes and we’ll be fine.”
The start was a big problem for the Hawks in Game 4. Boston was quicker, sharper and more aggressive while taking a 24-point lead in the first half. The Hawks never recovered.
A Game 6 loss would mean the end of the Hawks’ season. Win, and they will get another chance to become the ninth team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 deficit to win a playoff series.
“We just want to take it one quarter at a time and not get ahead of ourselves worrying about a Game 7,” guard Joe Johnson said. “We are worried about Game 6, the first quarter, and not letting them get off to a big lead and make a big run. We’ve got to control tempo and pace. If we can do that, we will be OK.”
Assuming the Hawks start better, they’ll also have to finish stronger. That has been an issue for the Hawks in this series.
They led by 12 late in the third quarter Tuesday, but gave back the advantage within five minutes. Their 19-point lead in the second half of Game 1 was down to four in the final minute. The Hawks lost Game 2 after leading by 11 after halftime and faltered after forcing overtime in Game 3.
The issue for the Hawks generally has been long scoring droughts, especially when the Celtics crank up their intensity on defense.
“I wish we could have a game like they had on us [in Game 4], where nobody missed a shot,” Smith said. “Unfortunately we haven’t had a game like that.
“The Boston Celtics are going to make you grind for every bucket, every point. You have to think and outsmart them on a lot of plays because their defensive IQ is almost perfect.”
Pachulia (foot) still is sidelined, but the Hawks at least will have their regular lineup again for Game 6. After playing as a reserve in Game 4, Horford started Game 5 to give the Hawks their season-opening lineup for the first time since he suffered a torn pectoral muscle Jan. 11. Smith is playing at less than full health.
The Hawks are as healthy as they will get in this series. They have a chance to erase the memories of the Game 4 embarrassment and keep their season alive.
“We have a chance to do something really special,” Johnson said. “I’m glad everybody is back together healthy and we are ready to make this run.”
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